Childhood body mass index and other measures of body composition as a predictor of cardiometabolic non-communicable diseases in adulthood: A systematic review.

There is growing evidence that childhood malnutrition is associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood and that body composition mediates some of this association. This review aims to determine: if childhood body composition can be used to predict later-life cardiometabolic NCDs and which measures of body composition best predict future NCDs. Three electronic databases were searched for studies where: children aged under 5 years had body composition measured; cardiometabolic health outcomes were measured a minimum of 10 years later. 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. Though a poor proxy measure of body composition, Body mass index (BMI) was commonly reported ( n =28, 97%). 25% of these studies included an additional measure (Ponderal Index or skinfold thickness). Only some studies adjusted for current body size ( n =11, 39%). Many studies reported that low infant BMI and high childhood BMI were associated with increased the risk of NCD-related outcomes in later life but no conclusions can be made about exact timing of child malnutrition and consequent impact on NCD. Because studies focused on BMI rather than direct measures of body composition, nothing can be said about which measures of body composition in childhood are most useful. Future research on child nutrition and long-term outcomes is urgently needed and should include validated body composition assessments as well as standard anthropometric and BMI measurements.